For decades, I singularly helped strengthen the Deamhan in Minneapolis, and made sure that all the vampires feared us. Ramanga, Lamia, Metusba, and Lugat - I looked out for everyone. No one before me had the guts to stand up to the humans and vampires like I did. If it weren't for me, Deamhan would've left that city in fear a long time ago.

Everything was fine until my sibling, Selene, arrived. She released my sire, Lucius, from Limbo, and all hell broke loose. They massacred my supporters and dethroned me. Now, with his minions rallying behind Lucius like he's their messiah, Selene and he chase me to the ends of the earth. They erroneously believe that by capturing me, they will exact justice from me for my crimes.

Little do they know that nothing can keep me away from Minneapolis, the city I built from the ground up. I'm going nowhere. The city belongs to me, Kei; and only I can redeem it.

I heard the bathroom door open and Carol's footsteps sliding along the carpet as she made her way to their bedroom, closing the door behind her. The smell of lavender soap and warm water tingled my insides.

“Whether I like it or not, family matters a lot to me,” he said. “I want to hate you so much, Kei, but I can't. I just can't.”

I straightened the clothing he gave me and held my arms out in the air. “There. Finished. Now take the damn wood out.”

“Okay. Let's get going.” He moved aside as I walked toward the front door. “I'll meet you out there. I have to say goodbye to Carol first.”

I walked outside, pretending not to acknowledge his next movements, even though I kept an ear perked. When I heard him walk down the hall towards the bedroom, I slowly went back into the house and edged my way into the hallway.

I didn't plan on leaving until after I killed her.

I peeked around the corner and saw him with his back facing me, leaning over Carol who sat in an old chair, facing the window. He leaned over, whispering in her ear while she brushed her brown hair. The more I took in her scent, the more I wanted her. Still aching, I knew I could only attack her and fend off Nash for as long as my body held out. I had to make sure my attack was flawless.

But Nash heard me and immediately whisked around. “Kei, don't do this.” He approached me and gripped me by the arm. Carol turned around with her eyes widened.

Being older and still much quicker, I used what strength I had left and I pushed him hard enough that he fell on the floor, crashing onto his back. I ran over him, rushing at Carol in Deamhan speed. I didn't give her a chance to stand and defend herself. Grabbing her by the neck, I raised her slightly off the ground.

She slapped at my forearms, then reached down, trying to grab the wood from my stomach. I squeezed a little more and her gurgling sounded like water bubbles exploding in her mouth.

I felt Nash wrapping his arms around my waist.

“I'll break her neck before you stake me,” I said to him. “Wood or not.”

He dropped his arms. “Kei, please,” he begged.

“Convince me I shouldn't,” I said to him.

“I love her, Kei. I can't live without her.”

Hearing the emotion in his voice disgusted me.

“She's the reason that I haven't turned into a psychopath like you,” he continued. “If you kill her, you'll become the devil in human flesh to me. I will hunt you down like the evil spirit you truly are.”

He was starting to sound like a Deamhan should. Hearing his change of heart and threat, I couldn't help but laugh. “Enough of your religious superstitions, Nash. I don't believe in any of that crap.”

“When the vampires came for you, they threatened to kill me if I didn't tell them where you ran off to. But you know what? I didn't tell them anything. I knew you used me as a diversionary scapegoat, but I still defended you with my life!”

“You're not convincing me, Nash,” I said.

“I'll do anything you want” He marched around to face me. “Just please, don't hurt her.”

“I won't if you take the piece of wood out.”

He paused and his eyes moved back and forth from me to Carol.

“Wood or Carol?” I said. “It shouldn't be a hard choice for someone who's in love.”

He grabbed the wood and yanked it out.

I held out my hand. “Give it to me.”

He handed me the wood and I saw the desperation in his eyes before they turned black, a signature Deamhan trait. It would've been easy to kill him right there on the spot, but I needed him; however not like this. Now, fully convinced that Carol was his weak spot, I knew she had to go.